Schenkein ready for 'good challenges'

The Dodge City Chamber of Commerce has been busy filling vacancies and the most recent newcomer is Dan Schenkein, who was recently appointed president of the organization.

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By Don Steele

Dodge City Daily Globe - Dodge City, KS

By Don Steele

Posted Nov. 13, 2012 at 6:00 AM

By Don Steele

Posted Nov. 13, 2012 at 6:00 AM

DODGE CITY

The Dodge City Chamber of Commerce has been busy filling vacancies and the most recent newcomer is Dan Schenkein, who was recently appointed president of the organization.

Schenkein began his work with chambers of commerce as a volunteer for the Deadwood, S.D. group.

With a public relations background and a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, Schenkein took his first chamber job in 1983.

Since then his career has taken him to both Dakotas, Kansas City, Idaho and Washington state.

He also ran a field office for a U.S. senator for three years and had his own consulting business for the not-for-profit community. As part of that business he helped a free health clinic raise four years of operating funds in six months.

"The Dodge City chamber has a very strong foundation, organizationally and financially, Schenkein said in an interview with the Globe last Friday.

"They're looking for new ideas and it should be easy to build on the great work that's been done to this point," he said.

Among his top priorities, Schenkein lists working with strategic partners in the community.

"I don't care who gets the credit as long as the job gets done," he said.

Schenkein says he's "comfortable with the conservative Midwestern philosophy" and sees nothing but "good challenges" ahead for the chamber.

"With the explosion is wind energy and the potential for oil and gas ahead, if we can, as a community and region, capitalize on that, we can continue to keep this an economically healthy region," he said.

In the end, the chamber's mission statement will drive Schenkein's plans: "to enhance the business climate and improve the quality of life in Dodge City and the surrounding area for our members."